Apparently, in circus lingo, "bull" refers to elephants in general, whether male of female.

Here is a link that might be useful: Circus Lingo

She was actually my favorite character in the book...

Shall we use this for the discussion thread that you wanted, sarah? If so, SPOILER ALERT

I was really disappointed in this book. I didn't come in with high expectations, but the writing in the first part was so good I settled in for an excellent read. Then Jacob meets Mariana or whatever her name was (sorry, traded away my copy). That love affair, such as it was, was one of the worst written ones I'd seen in years. I saw no reason for them to fall head over heels in love - aside from great sex. The scenes themselves, and the conversations they had, were like ones I'd see in an old fashioned melodrama from the early 1900s. I ended up not liking either one, or rather not really caring about them. I cared more about the elephant, and more about the workers that were being tossed from the train. This was a real pity, because her writing about Jacob as an old man was poignant and funny (tho I figured out what was going to happen pretty early), and her scenes of circus life were vividly imagined. So I really did expect more.

I am also a bit frustrated that she didn't give us any bibliography to some of the events that happened or to the life of the small circuses at the time (at least my edition didn't). I really wanted to know more about that stampeded; was assuming it was real, but can't find mention of it anywhere.

My book group is discussing this next week, so I will report back. Who knows, their discussion may make me reconsider my feelings; its happened before :)

I was also disappointed in this book. I have to admit, though, that I read it right after finishing the final HP book, so I may not have given it a completely fair chance. That said, although the writing was good and the research seemed accurate, I just didnÂt like the world portrayed in the story. I also didnÂt care for any of the human characters. Like you Cindy, Rosie was my favorite. In fact, I found her to be the most likeable and interesting character in the book. I also liked Bobo, the orangutan. The book left me feeling depressed, in spite of the ending. The scenes in the nursing home were a little too realistic, and the grimness of the whole circus story just got to me. I agree about the thinness of the love story between Jacob and Marlena. Plus, I found them both to be cowardly and weak willed in their unwillingness to stand up to August and Uncle Al when it came to the treatment of the animals. I tried to cut Jacob some slack because he was only 23, but it still bothered me.

I never enjoy a book that involves cruelty and bullying, which is what much of this book was about, in my eyes. As an animal lover, and an absuredly overly sensitive reader, I really didnÂt want to read this book because of the abuse (animal and human) that I knew would be in it. But my book group chose to read it, so I felt obligated to do so, too. IÂm not sorry I read it, but I wouldnÂt recommend it.

My book group will be discussing it on August 15, so I will also report back. I can almost guarantee that many of them will like this book. A bit of irony, they decided to hold the meeting at my house this month, as I am a real elephant lover, and own several pictures and carvings of elephants. I have a wonderful painting of a smiling elephant that hangs over my fireplace. The artist (or someone) has painted on it the words: Je me contente de me peau. Which I believe translates to: I am happy (content) in my skin.

I know that several of you liked this book and wondered what it was that you liked: writing, characters, circus lore? Maybe your take on it will change my mind somewhat, which sometimes happens when I discuss a book with others.

Side note: I've included a link about the current mistreatment of circus animals, if you're interested, although I realize the issue is probably controversial.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mistreatment of Circus Animals

I am one who really enjoyed this book--perfect summer reading, as I liked the writing style, thought the story line was original and the setting interesting, did not see the "twist" coming at the end and I liked the story itself. Like Cindy, after reading it I wanted to learn more about old traveling circuses (circi?) but am finding the web pickins slim.

As for the love story between Marlena and Jacob, I think that sort of instant "love" is actually strong sexual attraction which can be a mighty powerful motivator, especially at the beginning of a relationship. Add to the attraction a nasty husband, evil circus owner and the allure of sneaking around as well as the fear of losing one's job during the depression... I bought it all.

I wondered about the introduction of the dentist with his story of carrying water for the elephants and the nurse explaining to Jacob that the dentist really believes his story, making it true for him. Perhaps some of Jacob's tale--like Rosie, instead of Marlena, killing August, or the happy lifelong marriage and ensuing children still visiting Jacob (who never showed up for the circus) and finally Jacob ending up with the circus again due to the kindness of a stranger--were the sentimental wishes of an old Jacob, his own "water for elephants."

All I ask is that if any of you find more information on traveling circuses, please share it! Sarah, thank you for your link on the lingo. In particular, it was nice to have a definition for "first of May" rather than just guessing it was a new worker.

I also really liked this book, although for some reason, I wasn't really expecting much when I started it. I agree with bookmom41 that it was a good summer read. I thought that Gruen had a pleasing writing style that quickly pulled me into the story. I actually laughed out loud at some of Jacob's thoughts as he faced aging and living in the nursing home. And even though I figured out what the twist at the end was going to be long before I got there, I still enjoyed the journey.

The love story didn't make me like the book any more or any less. As one who has often followed her heart (or other...er...body parts) instead of her head, often with disastrous results, it's not unthinkable to me that the sexual attraction between Marlena and Jacob was so overwhelming that it completely overcame common sense and caution.

I'm not sure whether anyone has posted this link or not, but there is a reading guide for Water for Elephants on the author's website along with a question-and-answer segment at the end of the document that you might find interesting.

Here is a link that might be useful: Reading Guide

I haven't read this books but one of my first memories when I was about 3 years old is of feeding stale buns to the elephants of Bertram Mills circus that used to tour England for many years.
These days no 'wild' animals are used in UK circuses, just horses and humans.
We have a small local to Gloucestershire circus company that makes its way between towns and puts up the Big Top in a convenient field. All quite informal but good fun.
If you type 'Giffords Circus' into Google you can see a few photos.

Here is a link that might be useful: Giffords Circus

A woman at Costco insisted I buy this book, so I did. But I have some other things that need reading 1st. (I insisted she buy The Road which she was resisting.) I wonder which of us will be happier with our purchase?

Very interesting discussion of the book last night. Average score was a C-. We all thought the description of Jacob on the nursing home was on target. But we had many quibbles:

One woman felt as if Jacobs voice was not a man's voice. She felt the author was using her own voice, which might be why some things about the story felt off.

There were many holes and lose ends. Way too many starts of an idea, that she just dropped with us saying - um, what happened? Many of us felt the story should have been written in third person instead of first; that would have allowed her to explain much.

We all wished to know more about his life with mareena; how this sexual relationship turned into a life long marriage.

Lots of talk about what the title meant; was not explained at all. bookmom, your idea above was picked up as well; The book could be understood better if we saw it as a fantasy.

Finally, we all agreed that Rosie was our favorite character!

Ok sarah, your turn! Be interesting to see how your group reads it.

Okay, Cindy, I'll let you know next week.

I'm surprised more people here at RP haven't read this. It certainly seems to be getting plenty of attention in the media.

While I haven't heard about this book in the media, it has been wildly popular with "older" women's book clubs and is still circulating heavily in the library in which I work part-time. I'd resisted reading it, thinking its demographic wasn't me but I'm glad I relented.

Colormeconfused, I'm right there with you on not finding the "love story" unbelievable--'nuff said. Lucky for Jacob and Marlena that the attraction did lead to a loving and compatible marriage, at least in Jacob's recollection.

This site has information about old circuses. Nothing that I could find about a stampede similar to the one described in the book, though.

Here is a link that might be useful: Circus history

I enjoyed this book too.
I don't see anything wrong with finding Rosie the most attractive character - I think that shows quite good writing actually.
I really liked the setting and finding out about that way of life, which is totally foreign to me. Obviously we have circuses in Australia but the depression life and the idea of setting up one day after another made it a bit more of a novelty. (Long distances would have prevented such quick movement in Oz.)
I don't remember being put off by the love affair either - I'm sure these things happen, although not to me *g*

My adult niece, who looks to me for book recommendations, just finished WFE, which I did not recommend. She was feeling pretty so-so about the book until the very end. That turned it from a three star into a four star read for her.

My book group met to discuss WFE last night, and everyone except me absolutely loved the book. They had no complaints about anything. In fact, they felt that the characters were really well developed and they especially liked the way that Gruen had paced the book. The parts about abuse (animal and human) bothered them but didn't lessen their enjoyment of the book.

Once again I was odd woman out. Ahh well.

Next month we'll be reading The Virgin of Small Plains, which I read and really liked.

I just finished this book and I guess I'm in the minority because I loved it. And yes, Rosie was my favorite character too. I remember vividly two times when I have been able to actually touch elephants (or rather, they touched me). Once was at the Honolulu Zoo, where they are brought out into the open and visitors can feed them carrots. The other time was at the National Zoo in Washington D.C., during a horrendous blizzard when I was probably the only visitor at the entire zoo, and the all-female elephant keepers welcomed me into their midst. They let me into the enclosure and gave me some oranges to feed the elephants.

I probably liked the book so much because my job involves caring for many elderly folks. I work in a medical rehab hospital, and I am often struck by the will to live and drive to recover from serious illness, even by those in their 90's. My younger co-workers are often puzzled by this; they seem to think that at a certain age, one just rolls over and dies. At their tender ages, they can't conceive of being so advanced in years and still finding life precious.

I enjoyed the stories of working in a circus during the depression even though the brutality was difficult. I did find it quite realistic.

All-in-all, a satisfying book, and one that I probably would not have read if not for RP.

Thanks for bringing this thread back to the surface, Siobhan. I passed on it in August because I hadn't finished the book, then forgot to check it later. Water for Elephants was the OneRead book in my community this year. I attended a couple of group discussions and a presentation by the author. The book received a mixed reception here, but there was a preponderance of "like" over "dislike" among those who attended discussions. I liked it myself.

One thing I've heard repeatedly is that Rosie is the favorite character. I find that curious, and wonder if this is the result of the animal-lover in many of us, or if there was more to Rosie's character than I discerned in the book. Certainly she was appealing, and a focal point with humans reacting to her in various ways, but her actual appearances were few and I didn't notice anything I'd call character development in her. She seemed pretty stereotypical to me - the gentle but abused-misunderstood-or-ignored animal who eventually steps in to save the day for humans. Isn't that basically a Lassie or King Kong movie? These kind of stereotypical characterizations of humans usually draw our criticism, but readers seem to like them in animals. That said, now I'll duck. -- Kathy

kathy I agree with you completely. Thing is, the other characters were so shallow and undeveloped that this stereotypical character who took action raised her above the level of the humans, for me anyway. Does that make sense?

I suppose I liked Rosie because 1) I am an animal-lover; and 2) she was the only one who really did something about the abuse. August was, IMHO, a pretty stereotypical character insofar as he was totally unsympathetic. Even when he is being nice the reader is just waiting for him to reveal his dark side again.

To be honest, Rosie's behavior in a human would probably be abhorrent. If, for example, Jacob had killed August, the reader would most likely be repulsed. But with a captive animal, the poetic justice outweighs the outrage. I also liked the idea the Rosie was a thinking creature who played along because she had to, but seized her chance. A lot has been written about elephants and their ability to understand complex issues. People who spend time around them, either in the wild or in captivity say it is apparent that they understand mortality and death.

My copy has gone back to the library but I would like to read at least parts of it again, or maybe some other books about the circus or about elephants. For me, that is a sign of a good book - a book that makes me want to read more about the subject.

Warning: SPOILERS

Cindy - That does, indeed, make sense.

Siobhan - Very good points. I hadn't thought about the fact that Rosie was the only one who actually took action against August's abuse. And the fact that it seems more acceptable for an elephant to commit murder is interesting also. I admit I had serious qualms about Jacob's love for Marlena when I was tricked into thinking Marlena would commit the murder, but after I learned it was Rosie, I was fine with the Jacob-Marlena match.

Other points of view always enlighten. I wish I had the ability to see things from all sides, but alas, I need the rest of you to help me out! -- Kathy

I read this book for a book club but never got the chance to attend the discussion. I enjoyed the book as a "fun and light read" especially the twist with Rosie near the end...I never saw it coming! I was able to see my grandfather in 'the nursing home Jacob' as he is often confused to place and time but still remains a spitfire.

I was surprised to see the book was catologued at our library under romance. I never thought romance took center stage in this book. For me, it was more about the circus and the crooked events of the time.

I was also compelled to look up circus facts and circus animal cruelty after I read the book.